The Cottonwood Hotel by Kimpton is one of the coolest wedding venues in all of Nebraska! This chic spot is unafraid to embrace bold styles, giving you a truly one-of-a-kind space for practically every kind of celebration. As an Omaha wedding photographer, I love getting to work with couples across some of the best locations around. Here is everything you need to know about hosting a Cottonwood Hotel wedding!
About The Cottonwood Hotel Wedding Venue
302 S. 36th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68131
Kimpton hotels have never been the kind to stick to the ordinary. First opened in 1981, this chain has gained a reputation for its boutique approach to hospitality, delivering unique locations with top-of-the-line amenities. They specialize in revitalizing the charm in historic hotels to ensure they can be ready for the generations to come!
The Cottonwood Hotel and wedding venue is no exception. Long before Kimpton purchased the location in 2020, it opened up as The Blackstone in 1915. The hotel had become known as the most elegant spot between Chicago and San Francisco, offering visitors luxurious rooms as well as legendary food. In fact, it’s even believed that the Reuben sandwich was first introduced at their restaurant!
While the name and ownership might have changed, their commitment to an unforgettable experience stays the same. Whether you are just renting out a room for the night or are using this site to write the next chapter of your love story, this spot is destined to have exactly what you’re looking for!
Details of the Grounds
With Cottonwood Hotel, you can host every second of your wedding day right on the grounds. They offer room blocks to let you and all of your guests stay here throughout your wedding weekend. Not only is it going to be convenient, but it’s also going to provide you with a fabulous spot where you can get ready for your celebration! Their suites are every bit as stylish as you would hope, giving you plenty of space as well as a photo-worthy backdrop for your candid pics!
Once you are ready, it will be time for your ceremony. While you will have a few options for this portion of your day, the Schimmel Ballroom remains a favorite. This top-level room features a rounded ceiling with intricate crown molding along the arches. The walls have been painted white, while the large windows will let in some of the best views in the city! Your guests will arrive on the elevators and walk into the Schimmel Foyer, where they can mingle before it’s time for your ceremony. Then, once you have finished exchanging your vows, they can head out to the Rooftop Terrace, where they can have some drinks overlooking the town.
You can keep your cocktail hour up here, or you can move things downstairs to the Orleans Room, where your guests can order top-shelf drinks and enjoy them in the vintage-inspired space.
Plan On A Gorgeous Cottonwood Hotel Wedding Reception
From here, it will be time for your reception. You can choose to keep things up in the Schimmel Ballroom, or you can move downstairs into the Gold Coast Ballroom. This spot is a little more updated with tall white walls accented with chair rail and statement brass chandeliers. The earth-colored carpet is going to work well with nearly every style of celebration, and the open floor plan will allow plenty of room to dance! If your guests want to step out and catch some air throughout the night, you will have a green space just outside the doors. This will also be the very best spot for your after-party! In all, the Gold Coast Ballroom can host up to 300 guests, while the Schimmel Ballroom can host up to 160 guests.
Photography Opportunities
The Cottonwood Hotel feels like it was made for wedding portraits! As you start out getting ready, you will be able to use the stylish suites to take some pictures with your friends. Once it’s time for some more formal portraits, the downstairs common areas are a dream! Over in the Solarium, you will have a sun-soaked spot filled with modern furniture where you can pose. From there, it’ll be time for your couple’s portraits. If you plan on having first look pictures, the roof is the best spot! You can get the city in the backdrop as you share a moment in private. Once you are done, you can take some pictures inside the hotel bar, sharing cocktails in a vintage-inspired setting. Finally, the sunny ballrooms and outside green spaces will be a great spot to take pictures with your family!
Wedding Details
At Cottonwood Hotel, they are going to make sure you have everything you could possibly need for a day you will never forget. As I mentioned earlier, the hotel welcomes room blocks to ensure everyone has a cozy spot to crash throughout your wedding week. It’s amazingly convenient if you have a lot of people traveling to celebrate with you! As you start to plan your wedding, you are going to be able to choose from their loaded catering menu. Their chefs are pros able to work across cuisines, allowing you to have a meal your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Once your day actually arrives, you will have their employees ready to keep things moving smoothly. They are going to take care of set-up and clean-up, and they can assist with wedding coordination. Meanwhile, your guests enjoy valet services. The hotel is wheelchair-accessible, and their specialists will make sure everyone in your party can celebrate!
I Can’t Wait To Capture Your Dream Cottonwood Hotel Wedding
If you are looking for a venue ready to give you a day as glamorous as you, I just know you are going to fall deeply in love with a Cottonwood Hotel wedding! With this destination, your dream wedding is about to become a reality. Once you have your venue, it’s time to start thinking about your photographer. I’m ready to be there for that, too! I am an Omaha wedding photographer, and I love working with my clients to capture all those magical little moments throughout their celebration. If you want to see if my style is a match for yours, let’s chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more.
